Letter to the editor: Vote yes on Issue 24 to support Streetsboro students

I am writing in support of Issue 24, the proposed Streetsboro City Schools’ levy, in the upcoming election.

I am an alum of Streetsboro City Schools, as well as a parent of two former Streetsboro students, who now attend Kent State University. My students are thriving at KSU because they were provided a solid educational foundation while at Streetsboro, including STEM classes, AP classes, band and art. Many other students benefit from their participation in athletics, the outstanding broadcast program, or College Credit Plus classes. Most CCP students would not be successful in this endeavor if not for the prior preparation that Streetsboro Schools provides.

Streetsboro City Schools has the 2nd highest State Report Card rating in the whole county, behind only Aurora, yet it has one of the lowest Spending per Pupil rates in the county. This means Streetsboro is spending its money efficiently and giving our youth a great education for less money compared to most districts.

But as we know, costs continue to go up, and this is no different for schools’ operating expenses. They cannot continue to give our students a quality education without an increase in funding. And any honest person will acknowledge that the education that served me well in the 1980s is certainly not adequate for today’s students. In fact, one could argue that the education provided five years ago would not be adequate due to the ever-changing environment that students need to be prepared to navigate to succeed.

Though my children are no longer enrolled in Streetsboro City Schools, I still greatly appreciate that strong schools do contribute to a strong and thriving community. That providing our students with the best opportunities, academic as well as extracurricular, keeps them engaged, provides a sense of belonging, and frankly helps keep them out of trouble, as well as helping them succeed in whatever path they pursue.

I hope my fellow citizens will also acknowledge the importance our schools have to our students’ quality of life and say yes, we support you when they are at the polls.

—Sheri L. Gestring, Streetsboro